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Backflow and Cross Connection Control Program
The City of Hollywood conducts regular sampling and testing of our water system. This testing shows Hollywood consistently meets all state and federal standards for safe drinking water. Nevertheless, other steps can and must be taken to ensure our drinking water system remains uncontaminated.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)-mandated Backflow Prevention and Cross Connection Control Program is one such measure to help protect our drinking water supply. Cross connections can occur, and potentially contaminate the public water system, anywhere the drinking water system is connected to any non-drinkable source.
This program requires that all commercial (and certain residential) property owners implement backflow prevention measures to avoid contamination. Per DEP rules, each such location must install and re-certify their backflow devices annually. Residential locations that must follow these rules include those with: a dedicated irrigation service connection, a dedicated fire service connection, or an auxiliary water system (i.e. a private well or intake from a pond, lake or stream). The type of assembly required differs and should be verified with a licensed plumber.
Who do I contact?
Contact BSI Online Backflow Program at 1.800.414.4990 or www.bsionlinetracking.com with all questions regarding recertifications of existing backflow devices.
Contact the City of Hollywood Building Department with all questions regarding new installations, repairs, and relocations of backflow devices (a permit and inspection is required) per F.B.C, plumbing section 312.10.2.
Before you alter or add new devices to your property's plumbing system, please contact the City of Hollywood’s Chief Plumbing Inspector Gregorio Diaz, at 954.921.3919 or gdiaz@hollywoodfl.org to apply for a permit for installation, relocation or repair of a backflow preventer or send a copy of the existing device Certification/Recertification Document.
Who needs to install a backflow prevention device?
Commercial, multi-family and applicable residential property owners must install and operate approved backflow prevention assemblies. Commercial properties include dry cleaners, car washes, restaurants, barber shops and beauty salons, auto repair shops, funeral parlors, medical offices, and contractors. Multi-story buildings, and those with fire or irrigation services must also have a backflow prevention assembly.
Why install a backflow prevention device?
To prevent contaminants from entering the public drinking water system and comply with state and federal regulations.
What is the cost of backflow prevention assembly?
Costs vary depending on the assembly required and licensed plumbers' costs.
Who can install and test a backflow prevention assembly?
Backflow prevention assemblies may only be tested or installed by a licensed plumber who is a certified backflow technician.
What if I do not comply with local, state and federal mandates?
Water service will be terminated to protect the public water system as required by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Contact the City of Hollywood Building Department at 954.921.3335 to discuss coming into compliance.
Additional resources
State of Florida
Florida Building Code
EPA Safe Drinking Water Act
More on Backflow Prevention and Cross Connection Control:
Drinking water generally moves in one direction- from the water treatment plant to a user tap. However, it is possible for drinking water to move in the opposite direction under some circumstances. This is called “backflow” which could allow a connection between drinkable and non-drinkable water (“cross-connection”) to occur and contaminate the public drinking water supply. Backflows are possible under two hydraulic conditions:
A backflow prevention device installed between drinking water and non-drinkable water lines can prevent either of these conditions from causing a cross-connection and impacting the public system. Common sources of potential cross-connections include: swimming pools, a submerged garden hose, improperly installed toilet-tank assemblies, and irrigation, fire suppression or water softening systems.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)-mandated Backflow Prevention and Cross Connection Control Program is one such measure to help protect our drinking water supply. Cross connections can occur, and potentially contaminate the public water system, anywhere the drinking water system is connected to any non-drinkable source.
This program requires that all commercial (and certain residential) property owners implement backflow prevention measures to avoid contamination. Per DEP rules, each such location must install and re-certify their backflow devices annually. Residential locations that must follow these rules include those with: a dedicated irrigation service connection, a dedicated fire service connection, or an auxiliary water system (i.e. a private well or intake from a pond, lake or stream). The type of assembly required differs and should be verified with a licensed plumber.
Who do I contact?
Contact BSI Online Backflow Program at 1.800.414.4990 or www.bsionlinetracking.com with all questions regarding recertifications of existing backflow devices.
Contact the City of Hollywood Building Department with all questions regarding new installations, repairs, and relocations of backflow devices (a permit and inspection is required) per F.B.C, plumbing section 312.10.2.
Before you alter or add new devices to your property's plumbing system, please contact the City of Hollywood’s Chief Plumbing Inspector Gregorio Diaz, at 954.921.3919 or gdiaz@hollywoodfl.org to apply for a permit for installation, relocation or repair of a backflow preventer or send a copy of the existing device Certification/Recertification Document.
Who needs to install a backflow prevention device?
Commercial, multi-family and applicable residential property owners must install and operate approved backflow prevention assemblies. Commercial properties include dry cleaners, car washes, restaurants, barber shops and beauty salons, auto repair shops, funeral parlors, medical offices, and contractors. Multi-story buildings, and those with fire or irrigation services must also have a backflow prevention assembly.
Why install a backflow prevention device?
To prevent contaminants from entering the public drinking water system and comply with state and federal regulations.
What is the cost of backflow prevention assembly?
Costs vary depending on the assembly required and licensed plumbers' costs.
Who can install and test a backflow prevention assembly?
Backflow prevention assemblies may only be tested or installed by a licensed plumber who is a certified backflow technician.
What if I do not comply with local, state and federal mandates?
Water service will be terminated to protect the public water system as required by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Contact the City of Hollywood Building Department at 954.921.3335 to discuss coming into compliance.
Additional resources
State of Florida
Florida Building Code
EPA Safe Drinking Water Act
More on Backflow Prevention and Cross Connection Control:
Drinking water generally moves in one direction- from the water treatment plant to a user tap. However, it is possible for drinking water to move in the opposite direction under some circumstances. This is called “backflow” which could allow a connection between drinkable and non-drinkable water (“cross-connection”) to occur and contaminate the public drinking water supply. Backflows are possible under two hydraulic conditions:
Backsiphonage
. A drop in pressure in the drinking water distribution system allows water to flow into it. Examples of circumstances that could cause a pressure drop include: a break in a main drinking water line, power loss at the water treatment plant, or very high water use in an area e.g. for fire-fighting.Backpressure
. Potentially unsafe water under high pressure could be pushed from a private line into the public drinking water system. For example, if a commercial facility uses pumps that produce high water pressure.A backflow prevention device installed between drinking water and non-drinkable water lines can prevent either of these conditions from causing a cross-connection and impacting the public system. Common sources of potential cross-connections include: swimming pools, a submerged garden hose, improperly installed toilet-tank assemblies, and irrigation, fire suppression or water softening systems.